A Taste of Carolina

.

.

.

.

.

If you find yourself doing a lot of outdoor grilling this summer, beer is an excellent appropriate ingredient. It is as versatile as cooking with wine and can add a savory essence to many favorite dishes.  Beer offers a variety of flavors, all of which stand up well to other strong tastes typically found in grilled foods. Flavor overtones include caramel, nuts, fruits, citrus and the sweetness of smoky malt (malted barley).  The bitterness in hops can compliment the spiciness of chilies. Keep reading to find grilled Mexican burger and Pan-Asian pork chop recipes that feature beer as an ingredient. Both are perfect for casual backyard entertaining.

(more…)

Share This

Bubble tea finally made it to Columbia!  It has been a huge drink craze in Asian communities worldwide for the past twenty years.  The unique drink  was created in Taiwan, where I had my first sip.  It goes by several names including boba (BO-bah) tea, pearl milk tea, black pearl tea, pearl tea latte, snow bubble and jelly gumdrop smoothie. At the height of its popularity, bubble tea captured the attention of major media outlets, magazines and even daytime TV on The View. The Asian treat is on the menu at Caffe Corner, a trendy coffeehouse in Northeast Columbia at Sparkleberry Crossing Village on Clemson Road. 

  (more…)

Share This

.

.Life’s a peach!  There is a great story about South Carolina peaches in the Life & Style Section of the State Newspaper this week ( July 9th, 2008).  In a normal production year, South Carolina peaches rank second in the nation for the fresh market.   In fact, the peach is our state fruit.  The State newspaper article lists a few of the 30 to 40 varieties grown in the state.  Varieties grown at Cook’s Roadside Market (at Trenton, one hour southwest of Columbia) include Semi-clingstone, Clingstone, Semi-freestone and Freestone.   Semi-clingstone and Semi-freestone are available through early July and several Freestone varieites are available all the way into September. 

.

Last year’s crop was a wash-out according to peach orchard owner, Ben Smith, with just 40 percent of a crop.  An Easter freeze killed most of the blossoms. This year brings a drought but experts say dry weather isn’t as bad because most diseases require moisture to flourish. There is less chance of disease that causes fruit to rot. Definitely a mixed blessing.   Dr. Desmond Layne, South Carolina’s peach specialist and professor of horticulture at Clemson University says the peaches will be smaller this year because they need lots of water to grow but flavor and quality will not be affected.  The taste will be more concentrated.

.

Ripe, juicy peaches like those in the photo are now available at your local farmer’s market. These are from Sandhill Farmer’s Market on Clemson Road.  Here are a few peachy recipes that will make the most of all that delicious flavor.

. (more…)

Share This

It’s a good bet that beer is on the menu for your Fourth of July celebration!  This holiday period is the peak time of year for beer sales and servings, according to IRI InfoScan Data. If you’re planning to attend a neighborhood potluck party or host a picnic, try serving a favorite beer in a new way: as a part of one of your recipes.

.
Here are two new recipes from the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) of Alexandria, Virginia, that are perfect for holiday or any-day gatherings. Both feature luscious peaches, which are in season during the summer months, and both use a flavorful beer as a tasty surprise ingredient that accentuates the decadent flavor of the fruit.

(more…)

Share This

.

Blueberries are one of the three fruits native to North America.  The other two are cranberries and Concord grapes.  Botanists estimate that blueberries have been around for more than 13,000 years. The early native Americans dried blueberries in the sun for food.  They introduced the Pilgrims to the delicious berry, which helped them survive those first harsh winters in America. Blueberries were first cultivated in the early 20th century. Peak blueberry season is mid-June to mid-August. The earliest harvest is in the Southern states.

. (more…)

Share This

.

.

Blueberries are one of those wonderful foods that can make a difference in your life!  Numerous studies have been conducted on the health benefits of blueberries and the results are amazing!

(more…)

Share This

Some of my large azaleas bushes resemble a briar patch. They are entwined with pesky wild blackberry vines and loaded with small, tangy wild blackberries. Sadly, the birds always beat me to the berries and all I end up with is a bunch of  prickly vines.  I find it a better bet to purchase the beautiful plump blackberries at the Sandhill Farmer’s Market off Clemson Road (3 PM to 7 PM Tuesday afternoons) and at Lake Carolina (same time-Thursday afternoons). Blackberry season is fleeting so get there early.

(more…)

Share This

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a tender, annual herb that captures the essence of a long, hot summer.  A member of the mint family, basil has a distinctive spicy flavor with overtones  of anise (a bit like licorice) and cloves.  It is one of the most popular culinary herbs and one of the easiest to grow.

. (more…)

Share This

“Ah, how sweet coffee tastes – lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine.”  

                  Coffee Cantata by, Johann Sebastian Bach

.

.
When you wake up and smell the coffee, the pleasure in a freshly brewed cup begins with its sensual appeal, particularly the rich, inviting aroma. Anticipation leads to the first invigorating sip.  

.
.
In New Orleans, dark roasted coffee is often blended with chicory, (Cichorium intybus) , a blue flowering herb with a long white root. Caffeine-free, chicory is said to have a chocolate-like flavor that adds body and flavor to the coffee, according to producers of French Market Coffee.  Chicory is closely related to endive.  Coffee with chicory is often enjoyed at breakfast as cafe au lait, laced with boiled or steamed milk. Community and Union brands of coffee are other popular local blends.  

. (more…)

Share This

Last Tuesday at Sandhill Farmer’s Market I visited Nikki at Sweet~T Gourmet. I tasted several of her outstanding baked items and recommend that you pay her a visit at the market today. I promise it will be a ’sweet’ experience!

.
I loved the Iced Spiced Ginger/Molasses Cookies -among the best homemade cookies of this type I have tasted.  The Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches with Peanut Butter Cream (shown below) were just as outstanding.

.

. (more…)

Share This